It is dubbed ‘a run for idiots’, but one of the biggest fundraisers for Wales Air Ambulance has sold out in record time, with people planning to fly in to take part from all over the globe.

The Darth Mannion is a 13-mile adventure run that takes place on the South Gower coast each March, with runners tackling undulating terrain, steep hills, icy river-runs and multiple sea-dips.

It was begun by a handful of former South Gower RFC players who set themselves a physical challenge after their playing days had come to an end, but has since grown dramatically, with up to 600 runners expected to take part next year, on March 17.

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The event raises money for the Wales Air Ambulance, becoming the service’s biggest fundraiser, and this year sold out in record time after opening for applications.

The event’s chief executive Pete Mannion said: “We sold out in three hours this year, which was an incredible feat.

“We’ve got people coming from Australia, Singapore and all over Europe to take part.

“It started as a stimulus for us to get fit after Christmas, and rather than an elite event, only for the best runners, it aims to be something for all sorts of runners - although it is more difficult than many people have done before.

“It is about inclusivity, rather than how quickly you can complete the course. It is more about the experience.

“And it has moved from being a one-off fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance. We are now consistently raising large amounts of money for them, but we aim to grow even that figure.

“We hope to be able to one day perhaps fund a rapid response vehicle for the service. We’re not there yet, but that is what success would look like for me.

“There is a team of around twenty who are responsible for organising it, and it is a real team effort”.